Job Seekers Allowance

[RedSnow]

In about 3 weeks I will need to make a claim for job seekers allowance as a single parent. I'm not working but am at college part time. I'm hoping to start Uni in September so it will only be temporary.

Anyway I have a few questions for anyone who may have had recent experience:

Will the job centre sort out my child tax credits/child benefit/housing benefit etc too or will I have to do all that seperately?

Once you send the claim in, how long is it usually before you get any money?

He's moving out on the 9th March, when should I start the process? Can I start the ball rolling whilst he's still here or do I have to wait until he is officially gone?

TIA.

You should already be getting child benefit. If not, information about how to apply it is available on the HM Revenue and Customs site here. Child Tax Credits is also done by HMRC and you can get information about it on the same page.

Housing benefit and council tax benefit is done by your local council.

I've found the Job Centre to be remarkably efficient to be honest. Crap at helping you find work but ok with the bureaucracy. The actual paperwork etc should only take a week or two for them to process. You can make a JSA application online here. I'd suggest you give them a call first on the numbers given on that page to double-check the details. I think the number of hours you're studying may be important.